His punishment, imposed by the United States Anti-Doping Agency, is backdated to July.

The interim light-heavyweight title holder told ESPN: “Although I was hopeful for a better outcome in the USADA ruling today I am very respectful of the process in which they allowed me to defend myself.

“I have always maintained my innocence and I am very happy I have been cleared in any wrongdoing pursuant to the allegations made that I had intentionally taken a banned substance.

“I am pleased that in USADA’s investigation they determined I was ‘not a cheater of the sport’.”

A tearful Jones apologised at the time of his out-of-competition positive urine test and insisted he did not take a performance-enhancing drug.